I didn’t intend to buy this. I wasn’t a big fan of the main character in the main series whence this springs. He was just there, without much detail, mostly a stereotype. Until the end in which he does something that’s supposed to be self-less and brave, but ends up seeming pointless and meaningless. But there was a display of V.E. Schwab’s stuff, since she had a re-release out and the first volume of the Shades of Magic prequel/comic: The Steel Prince. It was pretty, and I was weak. After having read it, I regret nothing. You win V. You […]

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The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

Spoiler warning! This is the third and final volume in the trilogy, and the action starts immediately after the second book. This is not the place to start. If you are not caught up, drop everything and start from the beginning with The Bear and the Nightingale. Vasilisa “Vasya” Petrovna managed to defeat one enemy, but at a great cost. Releasing the legendary firebird has caused much of Moscow to catch fire and the citizens, spurred on by the vengeful and jealous Father Konstantin are looking for a scapegoat. Vasya is dragged from the safety of her sister’s home by an angry […]

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Second Hand Curses by Drew Hayes

Once again, Drew Hayes has come up with something completely different from his previous work. This has more of a detective story, well, detective vignettes that come together. So kind of like his Fred, The Vampire Accountant set up. But we’re in the realms of fairy tales this time. And it feels a lot darker than his other stuff. The writing brings to mind the old noir detective stories, you know, the ones where you see the silhouette of the guy smoking a cigarette and usually some lovely lady in distress coming to ask for help. But one of the […]

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Semi-Charmed Life: A Novel by Nora Zelevansky

The protagonist, Beatrice, is feeling stifled by her well-known artist parents and literary genius sister. While sick with a cold at home, she makes a wish and magic bird poop splats on her empty notebook. Yes, magic bird poop. Because she was sick, she missed the move in day at her local college. Therefore, it’s too late to complain about her cockroach infested dungeon of a dorm room. Which seems ridiculous since it’s definitely a lawsuit that Beatrice could win and therefore end this book early. Lucky for her, a super famous female influencer, Veruca, is living in her dorm […]

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Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede

I highly recommend this series to adults and children alike. It feels clean, somehow. There is good and wickedness, but everything eventually works out. I would not hesitate to give the main series to my nieces and nephews. There is a focus on manners and politeness and practicality. Everyone can learn lessons from this, and even if they are lessons you’ve learned before, it’s good to be reminded! Dealing with Dragons I read this right before I read Ogre Enchanted, which probably was not good for the ogres, seeing as this is so good and that was so disappointing! I […]

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Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

England has a bit of a problem. Their magic is fading, and no one seems to know why. Zacharias, the new Sorcerer Royal, is determined to find out why, and hopefully fix the problem. Poor Zacharias. He is young, and grieving for the death of his mentor, and suffering from a mysterious (to us, at least) malady. Oh, and he’s black. So really, there’s not much going for him. Prunella Gentleman is a young lady in a school for gentlewitches. She’s not a student, though, but a ward of the headmistress. Magic has been forbidden to the fairer sex, deeming […]

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Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Oh what fun! This was such a delightful read during the grim darkness of winter. I have read a few books by Rainbow Rowell that I really loved and one that didn’t work for me. When Carry On popped up at the library, I was looking for something frothy and fun and escapist, and I had no expectation about the story. I could not have chosen a better book. Simon Snow, a 17 year old boy, is the most powerful wizard ever, but he is like a magical puppy, in that he flops everywhere and has very little control over […]

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